asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons are employed by the Department of Overseas Trade; how many were employed at this time last year; what is the annual cost of this Department, including the salary of its director; and whether it is considered that the results achieved by this Department justify its continuance after the present financial year?

The number of persons employed in the Department of Overseas Trade at the present time is 553, including messengers and cleaners; the number employed in October of last year was 611. These figures do not include commercial diplomatic officers and trade commissioners, who work abroad under the direction of the Department. The annual cost of the Headquarters Staff, as provided in the Estimates for the current year, is £185,000. Reductions in the staff are now taking place, and during the next three months, the total number will be reduced to a figure somewhat below 400. The estimated annual cost as the result of this reduction will be about £120,000, a reduction of 35 per cent. The salary of the Parliamentary Secretary is £2,000 per annum and the salary of the Comptroller-General is £1,846; the latter figure including bonus at the present rate. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. The organisation and work of the Department has recently been under the consideration of the Advisory Committee of the Department, consisting of prominent business men, who strongly endorsed the value of the work of the Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if upwards of 50 temporary valuers, appointed under the Finance Act of 1910 have received notice of discharge consequent upon the repeal of the valuation clauses of that Act, a large proportion of whom are ex-service men of middle age and with serious domestic obligations; whether he realises that these men were appointed some years before the War, and not a few of them gave up established businesses or improving positions which must take years to revive, and yet have only received a month's notice to terminate their engagements, whereas temporary valuers engaged during the War, also temporary valuers at the War Office engaged during the War, have received three months' notice, and that in 1919 a promise was made on behalf of the Board of Inland Revenue in September of that year to give three months' notice in future cases of dismissal; why have the Board departed from this pledge, especially as the labour market is now in a far more serious state than when the promise was given; will he endeavour to get that promise carried out in respect of she men now under notice; and will he take steps to ensure that these temporary valuers, who have little or no independent means, or are unable to obtain employment outside the Civil Service, should be given the opportunity of taking the places of existing post-War staff engaged on any work which the individual qualifications of these men enable them to carry out?

Owing to a recent and rapid reduction in the volume of work of the Valuation Office (the character of which is set out in Command Paper 918 of 1920), 50 temporary valuers, of whom 19 are ex-service men, have received notices of discharge. The terms on which these officers were engaged provide for one month's notice, and my hon. and learned Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that on the occasion of an earlier reduction in the personnel of the Valuation Office the Board of Inland Revenue gave a pledge varying these terms. It is true that in 1919 three months' notice was given but at that time there was work to occupy them during the period of notice. The period of notice given to the officers now in question has with few exceptions been extended from one month to two months, but considerations of public economy preclude me from authorising a still further extension of their employment in the Valuation Office. With regard to the last part of the question, every possible effort is being made to provide them with other Civil Service employment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many extra clerks and other officials have been engaged for duty with His Majesty's Customs to deal with the situation arising out of the coming into force of the German Reparations Act and the Safeguarding of Industries Act, respectively; what is the estimated annual total cost of any addition that may have been made; whether overtime is being worked by the Customs staff in order to cope with the additional work; and what is the estimated annual cost of this overtime?

The work in connection with the German Reparations (Recovery) Act and the Safeguarding of Industries Act, respectively, is being performed by the existing Customs and Excise staff, supplemented by 32 extra temporary-clerks for the German Reparations levy work and six for the Safeguarding of Industries work. The annual total cost of this additional staff, calculated at the mean of the salary scales, is £5,900 and £1,100, respectively. It has been necessary to employ the staff on overtime at certain of the busier centres at a cost, to date, of about £3,000, the greater part of which is on account of German Reparations levy work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to make any statement in regard to the appointment of a woman Civil Service Commissioner, in view of his promise to consider the matter; and whether any women establishment officers have yet been appointed as promised?

The appointment of a woman as a Civil Service Commissioner does not appear to me to be justified at the present time when there is no vacancy on the Board, and such an appointment must be additional. The question of appointing a woman to be a Civil Service Commissioner will again be considered on the occurrence of a vacancy. The question of specific appointments of women as establishment officers is still under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether to pass the efficiency bar is in the case of women alone counted as a promotion, whereas promotions are necessarily on a keenly competitive basis, as many as 50 women in the money order department having reached their maximum, while only three promotions were available for this number, and to pass the efficiency bar is accounted among men to denote a standard of efficiency open to anyone; and whether he can indicate some common standard of efficiency which might be applied as a barrier test to men and women in all the departments?

The passing of an efficiency bar is not regarded as a promotion, and there is no difference in the standard applied to women and men in this respect. As regards the last part of the question, I beg to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to him by my predecessor on the 21st March last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether about 12,000 women are employed in his Department; and whether, considering the number of ex-service men who are at present unemployed, he will at once take steps to see that no woman is retained unless she is dependent on her earnings for her livelihood and that any vacancies thus created are filled by ex-service men?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. Paper) on 27th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any and, if so, how many conscientious objectors are now being employed by the Air Ministry; and will he state how many ex-service men have been discharged from service with the Air Ministry since the Armistice?

There are no conscientious objectors employed in the Air Ministry. Approximately 200 ex-service men have been discharged from the Air Ministry since the date of the Armistice, in pursuance of the general policy of reduction which the Government is anxious to press still further in the interests of economy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether imported camphor is exempt from duty under the key industries portion of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, whilst synthetic camphor, which is the only substitute available, and the supply of which regulates the price of camphor, is in fact subject to a duty; and whether he will consider the advisability of bringing in special legislation to remove anomalies such as this from the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

I am aware that ordinary camphor is not liable to duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Whitechapel (Mr. Kiley) on the 18th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of a fire extinguisher made in Great Britain, adapted for special purposes, which requires for its manufacture a chemical only obtainable from abroad on which a duty of 33⅓ per cent. is now levied; whether this brand of extinguisher will, therefore, now become more expensive on the market than its foreign competitors; and whether, to meet exceptional cases of this character, he is prepared to consider the advisability of promoting legislation to avoid the direct penalising of British manufacturers engaged in the making of such articles of special value to the community?

My attention has been called to a particular type of fire extinguisher which involves the use of a synthetic organic chemical subject on importation to duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. I understand, however, that the chemical in question is obtainable in this country; and I am not prepared to promote legislation of the kind suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the amount received under the Safeguarding of Industries Act has been; and if this tax is working profitably and satisfactorily?

I have been asked to reply. The revenue collected under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act from the 1st to the 28th October amounts to £14,056. With regard to the second part of the question, it is at present too early to express an opinion on the degree of success achieved by the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that it is the considered view of the fine chemical trade that about 75 per cent. of the total quantity of the synthetic chemicals imported into England are for re-export; that of these re-exports the great bulk cannot be imported and exported by way of transit under bond; and what steps he is prepared to take to assist traders to continue their export business, in view of the fact that it is not feasible under the present Customs Regulations to secure drawback of duty unless formalities are complied with which are unworkable in connection with such goods?

The representations to the effect stated in the first part of the question have been made to me. As regards the remainder of the question, I understand that the Regulations as to drawback to be made under the Safeguarding of Industries Act are under consideration by the Board of Customs, and that there is no reason to anticipate that those Regulations will prove unworkable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the Regulations governing the marking of actual articles of foreign make and importation under the Merchandise Marks Act; whether German toys are imported packed in boxes, which in turn are enclosed in crates, and that the only marking of place of origin is on each crate; and whether the practice is in accordance with the law?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a Memorandum issued by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise relating to marks on goods imported for home use, which shows the practice of that Department in administering the provisions of Section 16 of the Merchandise Marks Act. As regards the second and third parts of the question, he will see from the Memorandum that so long as the toys and boxes in which they are packed bear no marks, they are not required to be marked with an indication of their place of origin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether dyestuffs and/or intermediate products have been imported into this country in quantities which prove to be unsaleable and in some cases rapid deterioration has set in or is to be expected?

The quantities of dye-stuffs and certain intermediates requisitioned from German stocks under the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles were taken on the advice of representatives of the colour users. Owing to the trade depression which began later, the disposal of these quantities has been much more gradual than was then anticipated. The dyestuffs and intermediates still in stock are in good condition, and I am not aware of any complaints as to any deterioration in their quality. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that such deterioration is not likely to occur except in the case of a very limited number of products.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether reparation dyestuffs have been sold at such low prices as to seriously prejudice the British industry; and have the British dye-makers made representations to that end?

The prices obtained for reparation dyes have approximated as closely as possible to current market prices at the time of sale. I have not received any representations from British dyemakers of the kind suggested by the hon. and gallant Member, and I may point out that a substantial part of the reparation dyes consists of kinds not at present manufactured in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the policy of importing large quantities of reparation dyestuffs and intermediate products has been abandoned or materially modified; and, if so, is the change of policy due to representations from the British dye manufacturers?

In view of the existing trade depression and the consequent limitation of demand, it has been thought inexpedient to exercise for the time being the full option on the current production of German dyestuffs under the Separation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. This decision was not due to any representations from British manufacturers of dyestuffs. The quantities now taken are determined after consultation with the various interests concerned, and with the Dyestuffs Advisory Licensing Committee, and are based on Estimates of requirements furnished by the representative organisation of colour users.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the officers and men of the Army of Occupation in Germany are at present billeted upon the inhabitants; and how many of these are men of colour?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am unable to say without inquiry how many of the officers and men referred to are in billets. There are no coloured troops in the British Army of Occupation. As regards the Allied armies, I am not in a position to add to the answer which I gave on 27th July last to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenwortby).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many elementary schools in the occupied areas of Germany are at present requisitioned for the use either of the Allied Army of Occupation or of the Rhineland Commission; and what number of children were these schools designed to accommo date?

I have not the necessary information, but am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government proposes to offer its good services towards a satisfactory settlement of the Shantung question, although it regards the matter, so far as it was itself concerned, to have been settled at Versailles; whether he is aware of the strength of feeling in China on the matter; and whether the British Government has made any friendly representations, and, if so, of what nature, to Japan on the subject?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I returned this afternoon to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for East Newcastle (Major Barnes), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has received reports of outrages committed on the German population by coloured troops of the French army of occupation; whether they have taken any steps to inquire into the truth of these allegations, and, if so, with what result; and whether they propose to make any representations to the French Government on the matter?

The Rhineland High Commission investigates without delay all complaints of misconduct by the Allied occupying forces brought to its notice. Over a period of two years the German High Commissioner has called attention to 138 cases involving French non-European troops. In the majority of these it was found that the allegations of improper conduct were grossly exaggerated. In only 30 cases was sufficient evidence forthcoming to allow of examination being possible, and out of these 30, 13 offenders received sentences, 4 of which were imprisonment for 5 years. Two cases resulted in acquittals, 7 in disciplinary punishments and 8 were unproved. The High Commission is of opinion that much irresponsibility and carelessness have been evinced in collecting data, some of the charges brought being proved to be pure invention, and others to be based on the most frivolous statements. It is open to the German Government to bring further cases before the High Commission, which would be duly investigated. There is no occasion for any representations to the French Government on the part of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the German and French Governments have informed His Majesty's Government of the result of the conference between Monsieur Loucheur and Herr Rathenau at Wiesbaden and the agreement reached between them with regard to German reparation payments to France; how this agreement will affect Article 237 of the Treaty of Versailles; and how it is proposed to dispose of the next reparation payment due on 15th January next, if and when received?

With regard to the first parts of the question, I would refer to the answer given on Monday, 24th October, to the hon. Member for Newcastle, East Division (Major Barnes), in which I promised to issue a White Paper on this subject as soon as possible. In reply to the last part of the question, all receipts from Germany are divided among the participant Powers in accordance with the provisions of the Inter-Allied agreements. On the assumption that the Paris Agreement of 13th August, 1921, has been finally ratified, the cash receipts from Germany on 15th January will go to Belgium in satisfaction of her priority.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will make inquiry into the case of the warder acting as cook at Mary-borough prison who has not been promoted to the rank of principal warder in spite of his 24 years' loyal service to the Crown?

I have made inquiries into the case of this warder, and find no grounds for interfering with the discretion of the Prisons Board in the matter of promotions.

asked the Chief Secretary whether efforts are still being made to apprehend and punish the murderers of Mr. Lindsay, who was kidnapped as long ago as 17th February, 1921, and with what result?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. and learned Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Rawlinson) last Thursday with reference to a similar case, police investigations are during the existence of the Truce necessarily limited by the agreed terms.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. W. C. Ringwood, late manager of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, Bantry, whom members of the Irish Republican party endeavoured to kidnap last July after commandeering his motor car and bicycle; whether he is aware that this gentleman was then compelled to give up his position and to take refuge in England; that, on endeavouring to sell by auction his furniture, those who attended the sale were informed that the furniture was forfeit to the Irish Republic and that any person who bid for it would be shot; whether the furniture is now held under lock and key in a public building at Bantry, although Mr. Ringwood desires to bring it across to England; and is he prepared to have arrested the persons concerned in this outrage?

I have personally enquired into this case and have myself seen Mr. Ringwood. The facts, I believe, are that an attempt was made on 9th July of this year to kidnap Mr. Ringwood and on 17th September his motor car and cycle were stolen. An auction sale was arranged by Mr. Ring-wood for the disposal of his furniture and effects, but, owing to frequent inter- ruptions, it was abandoned. There is no evidence of any statement having been made to the effect that the furniture was forfeit to the Irish Republic or that "anyone who bid for it would be shot," was made. The furniture is at present held in Bantry Town Hall, where it was sent by Mr. Ringwood for sale. I am in personal communication with him with a view to giving him such assistance as lies in my power in its removal to this country should he so desire. As regards the last part of this question, in the absence of any information regarding the identity of the persons concerned, I regret it is not possible to make any arrest.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, since the arrangements governing the cessation of active operations came into force, that portion of the county of Cork of which Mallow is the centre has been the scene of repeated outrages directed against the loyalist population, who, deprived of arms and abandoned by the authorities, dare not speak or write of the conditions under which they are forced to live; that they have to submit to the billeting on them of members of the Republican Army and have their motor cars and other vehicles seized for alleged military purposes; and what action does he propose to take?

The terms of this question would appear to suggest that the hon. and gallant Member is under the impression that since the Truce the position of loyalists in and around Mallow so far from improving has become more intolerable. This view is manifestly contrary to the facts. I am also unable to accept the implication that this district has been abandoned by the authorities. There is an adequate force of both military and police in this area. The number of offences against the Truce which have come to the notice of the police during the whole period since 11th July is quite insignificant by comparison with the records of earlier months. The most serious offences have been kidnapping; but seven out of nine persons concerned are known to have been released and inquiries are proceeding in regard to the other two. Three cases only of seizure of motor cars have come to notice. The question of billeting is already under investigation, and I can assure the House that interference with person or property, which is not only an offence against the law but a breach of the letter and spirit of the Truce, will not be tolerated.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can inform the House what effective protection he has already offered to loyal and law abiding citizens who have been summoned before Sinn Fein courts?

As I have already stated in reply to previous questions on this subject, the protection of the Crown Forces has been available both before and since the Truce for any person in Ireland who has claimed their protection against any act of interference by an illegal tribunal.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to a notice published throughout Southern Ireland, stated to be by order of the Irish Government, wherein it is announced that after the 24th October, 1921, bank notes issued by the Ulster Bank, Belfast Bank, and northern banking companies will be of no value and will be forfeited if found in anyone's possession, or if offered or received in payment; and what action the Government has taken or proposes to take in the matter?

No such order has at any time been issued by His Majesty's Government in Ireland. If any such order has been issued by any body or pretended Government in Ireland, it has no legal effect, and adequate protection will be given by His Majesty's Government to any person or persons who are in danger of losing their property as the result of any such order.

asked the Chief Secretary whether arms were imported into Ireland during the Truce without any interference by the Govenment, as stated by General Decies?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in the town of Keady, in County Armagh, typed documents, purporting to come from the director of boycott, are being served upon loyal inhabitants, enclosing an undertaking for the latter's signature that they will abstain from dealing with Belfast and other boycotted firms; and whether he will put a stop to this illegal practice?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part any infraction of the law committed in connection with this boycott is a matter for the police to investigate and deal with in the ordinary way. Adequate protection will be given by the Crown forces to any trader who refuses to sign this document.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that, under an order of a Sinn Fein district court, held at 42, North Great George's Street, Dublin, a tenant occupying a house in the North Strand district of Dublin was forcibly evicted on the 20th instant by a body of men calling themselves Sinn Fein police, although the tenant informed them that he had no place to which he could take his wife and six children; whether the tenant so evicted was a commission agent for a Belfast firm whose goods were boycotted by Sinn Fein orders; and what steps he has taken in the matter?

The police made careful inquiries into this matter as soon as the allegation appeared in the Press. They have, so far, been unable to find any confirmation of the circumstances reported. If the hon. and learned Member has any information in his possession which would assist the police in their inquiries, I should be much obliged if it could be made available. Investigation is greatly hampered by the extent of the district in question, which contains nearly 10,000 habitants, and no complaint has been made to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can explain the prolonged delay in adjusting the accounts of Lance-Corporal T. Handley, No. 8,136, King's Royal Rifle Corps; and when the accounts of this man, who was demobilised nearly two years ago will be adjusted?

The account of No. 8136 Lance-Corporal T. Handley, King's Royal Rifle Corps, was held up by the Indian Authorities for the purposes of revision. A cable has, however, just been received from India announcing that a detailed statement of account was posted on 21st October, and as soon as it is received by the Regimental Paymaster, Winchester, a settlement will be effected.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the memorandum issued during September, 1921, to the effect that all soldiers serving at home who are not entitled to marriage allowance, but who are making voluntary allotments to parents, must in future make their own arrangements for remitting money to their dependants; whether this applies to soldiers who rejoined the Army after the War on the understanding that the allowance to their parents or dependants should be continued, whether serving at home or abroad; and whether it is possible to give further consideration to this matter, with a view to the continuance of the arrangements made for allotments at the time of enlistment to be carried out during their period of service?

The object of the order in question is to save the extra clerks required if this work is concentrated in the pay offices instead of being carried out by the individual soldiers concerned. The understanding referred to was that the soldier would continue to get the allowances in question. It did not relate to the machinery of payment. I regret that I am not prepared to cancel the order and forego the saving in clerks.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the refusal to pay marriage allowance, under Army Order No. 357 of 1920, to the wives of Regular warrant officers who, for private reasons, are residing abroad; and whether in cases where good grounds for the wife residing abroad can be proved authority for the allowance will be issued?

Marriage allowance is admissible for the wife of a soldier on the Marriage Allowance or Married Quarters Roll, who is not living with her husband, if the separation is due to the exigencies of the service or reasons of health, but not if the separation is due to purely private reasons other than health. I am not aware of any hardship caused by this rule.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made with the Territorial Voluntary Aid Detachment scheme; how soon will the actual conditions of service and establishment be determined; and is he aware that at the present moment the existing detachments are rapidly dwindling, whilst others have or are being disbanded owing to lack of any definite rules and regulations, the temporary rules sent out not meeting the case?

The Army Council have approved the principles of a new scheme, the details of which are to be considered by a committee on which the British Red Cross Society and other authorities concerned will be represented. In regard to the last part of the question, so far as I am aware there has been since 1st January last a net reduction of 21 detachments only out of a total of 4,037.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a Territorial officer performing the duties of acting-adjutant in a Territorial unit during the absence on leave or duty of the Regular adjutant is entitled to any pay or allowance; and, if not, why the pre-War practice in these cases has been discontinued?

A Territorial Army officer appointed to act as adjutant during the absence of the adjutant on certified sick leave, or during a vacancy, is eligible for the pay and allowances of his rank not exceeding that of captain. The necessity for making an acting appointment in special cases of prolonged absence of the adjutant on duty is decided on the merits of each individual case. The pre-War practice in these cases has not been varied.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that certain sick-bay stewards are desirous of purchasing their discharge from the service at a cost of some £50 per head, and that other men, ex-service and others, are keenly desirous of entering the service; and if, in the interest of contentment, efficiency, economy, and employment, such a purchasing-out can be permitted?

Service requirements do not permit of discharge by purchase being opened to the Sick Berth Branch at present, but it is hoped that it will become possible to allow a limited number of such discharges at the end of the present year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of the fact that the captains' list of the Royal Navy is in excess of the number allowed, he will say if a Committee has suggested any scheme of retirement; and, if so, whether such scheme has been considered by the Admiralty and what compensation, if any, will be given to those captains of the Royal Navy who are compulsorily retired?

This question has been under consideration by the Board of Admiralty, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company have already prepared a scheme for electrifying the whole of their suburban lines and the main line to Brighton; that the Great Eastern Railway Company have also a scheme which would employ a large amount of semiskilled and unskilled labour; whether these schemes are being held up on account of the circumstances arising out of the negotiations in connection with the amalgamation or grouping under the Railways Act; and whether representations will be made to the companies concerned as to the urgent need for putting the schemes into operation with the least possible delay?

I understand that the preparation of the electrification scheme of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Company is in an advanced state. The Great Estern Company have had a scheme of electrification under consideration, but owing to financial considerations have not proceeded with it. I am not aware that these schemes have been held up during discussion of terms of amalgamation. I am communicating with all the principal railway companies calling their attention to the financial provisions of the Trade Facilities Bill and requesting them carefully to consider what schemes they are able to inaugurate with a view to helping to find new work in districts affected by abnormal unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of women, married and single, who are receiving unemployment allowance; how many of those receiving unemployment allowances to-day were in any occupation during the War and prior to the War; can he give the occupations that were followed by the women in the pre-War period; and how many members in one family are drawing the unemployment benefit?

At 14th October the number of women making claims to unemployment benefit was 169,978 totally unemployed, and 113,639 short-time workers; the number actually in receipt of benefit was, of course, less than the number of claimants, but cannot be precisely stated. No statistics are available with regard to the other points raised by my hon. Friend. On the general question of previous employment, however, I should mention that persons who are not ex-members of the forces cannot qualify for benefit unless, in addition to the other statutory conditions, they either show that they were employed in an insurable occupation in at least 20 weeks since the end of 1919 and normally follow such an occupation or, alternatively, have paid six contributions for each week of benefit which they draw.

asked the Minister of Labour whether single men who may be the entire support of an aged mother will be entitled to receive the extra 5s. per week in the same way and under the same conditions that the married man will receive benefit for his wife; and if he will take action in the matter?

Under the Unemployed Workers' Dependants (Temporary Provision) Bill, as amended in Committee, a single man entitled to Unemployment Benefit could claim a dependants' grant in respect of his mother only in a case where he had a child or dependent children under the age of 14, and his mother was residing with him for the purpose of having the care of his dependent children, and was maintained by him.

asked the Minister of Labour, if he can state, approximately, the number of unemployed workers normally employed in trades not covered by the Unemployed Insurance Acts?

The number of persons in the United Kingdom normally employed in uninsured trades who were registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges at 2nd September, 1921, was 30,888, of whom 23,787 were in various domestic service occupations and 7,101 in agriculture.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that while some 10,000 workpeople connected with shipbuilding in Liverpool are unemployed, ships are being sent to foreign ports for repair, he will use his good offices to bring shipowners, ship repairers, and workers together to try and find some means of retaining the work in this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 25th October to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. R. Young) suggesting that if there are any preventable causes which are forcing ships to be sent abroad for repairs the matter should be investigated by the shipowners, shiprepairing employers and the trade unions. Before I can consider whether any good purpose would be served by calling a conference, as suggested by my hon. Friend, I think that the interests concerned should attempt to investigate this matter by themselves, as is being done in some other industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the scheme of loans for £25,000,000, the sums advanced by way of guarantee of interest and sinking fund are recoverable or not and, if they are recoverable, to what extent?

Under Section 1 (1) of the Trade Facilities Bill, the Treasury will have power to make such conditions in respect of guaranteed loans as they, on the advice of the Advisory Committee, think fit; and these conditions would naturally include provision for recovering for the Exchequer any sums paid out under the guarantee.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a certain ironworks company in Yorkshire is sustaining a loss of about £1,000 per week in their endeavour to provide employment for a large number of their employés in producing pig-iron for stock, and that this firm has intimated that they cannot go on indefinitely incurring such a heavy loss, especially with the price of pig-iron steadily falling; and whether, having regard to the fact that the loss in providing this useful work upon the production of a commodity that will be saleable when trade revives is not more than the cost of unemployment relief, it is possible to financially assist such firms in providing this useful work, instead of allowing their employés to draw unemployed pay for doing nothing or putting them on relief works of an uneconomical character?

I have no knowledge of the case referred to, but the suggestion made in the question, if adopted, could not stop at the instance referred to, but would inevitably have to be extended to numberless other firms and trades. It would be quite impossible to throw upon the Exchequer the immense liabilities which would be involved by the adoption of such a policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that many local authorities are experiencing difficulty in raising loans urgently needed for works to be undertaken for the relief of unemployment, if he will favourably consider the extension of facilities afforded to local authorities, whereby one-half of the money raised from the 1st October, 1921, onwards by the sale of National Savings Certificates in the area of any local authority will be available for loans to that authority for any purposes for which the Public Works Loan Commissioners have power to lend money; is he aware that in many instances local authorities who were entitled to borrow for housing purposes one-half of the gross amount obtained from the 1st October, 1920, by the sale of National Savings Certificates in their respective areas have, at the request of the Treasury, refrained from taking up such loans until actually required, with the result that, owing to the curtailment of housing schemes, these sums are now available for works for the relief of unemployment; and whether such accumulated sums will be made available for loans in respect of unemployment relief works?

I am afraid there are no such accumulated funds as the hon. and gallant Member indicates; and that it is not possible to antedate before 1st October, 1921, the extension of the facilities for the use of certificate money. The obligations of the Local Loans Fund are already so considerable that I cannot add to them

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that under existing Regulations a pensioner who is awarded an increased pension by a Medical Appeal Board is only entitled to the pension from the date of the Appeal Board's award; and whether he will amend the Regulations to ensure payment from the date of the original award against which the pensioner appealed?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under some misapprehension. Increase of pension consequent on the finding of a Medical Appeal Board takes effect from the date of commencement of the award challenged if the appeal is made within one month from that date; and in other cases, from the date of the appeal.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Pte. James Scott, of 14, Sir Michael Street, Greenock, has been refused leave to apply for further medical examination; and will he cause inquiries to be made into this matter?

A Re-Survey Board of January, 1920, found no remaining disablement, and that finding was confirmed, on appeal, by a Medical Appeal Board of May, 1920. The decision of the latter board is final as regards the man's condition up to that time. If, however, he considers that his condition has since become materially worse, his local committee will arrange for his examination by a medical referee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any of the local authorities in the various parts of the country will be allowed to build houses for the working classes in their own area if they wish to do so, without in any way receiving the Government subsidy; and if any such local authorities make an application for a loan for building houses will facilities be given to them by the Ministry of Health for the raising of the money?

I have been asked to answer this question. Local authorities have a statutory power under the Housing Acts to build houses suitable for the working classes, independently of a Government subsidy, which is only granted where a scheme is approved by me under the Act of 1919. I shall certainly be prepared to do all I can to help local authorities to borrow money for the purpose, subject to the necessary finance being available, to the general shortage of skilled labour for housing, and to the effect that such scheme might have on the progress of neighbouring schemes already in hand under subsidy.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has refused to sanction the expenditure necessary for the provision of battens for fixing curtain-poles in the 92 dwellings on the St. Louis Road and Redan Terrace housing sites in Lambeth; and whether his attention has been drawn to the opinion of the borough engineer and architect that the' provision of such battens is a necessity for strengthening the walls, and that incidentally they will reduce the maintenance cost of these walls besides enabling the tenants to hang curtains thereon?

I am advised that the statement that these battens are a necessity for strengthening the walls is incorrect. The provision made in this case is the same as in other housing schemes, and if any further provision for more elaborate blinds or curtains is deemed desirable by the local authority it is right that they should themselves meet such exceptional expenditure.

asked the Minister of Health whether any further investigation has been made in the matter of the Spahlinger treatment for tuberculosis; and when it is likely the treatment will be available for patients suffering from this disease?

I understand that certain unofficial investigations have been and are being made in this matter, but that no definite conclusions have been arrived at. As I have already stated, it will not be possible to undertake any independent investigation as to the efficacy of the Spahlinger treatment, which is essential in a matter of this importance, until supplies of the serum are available in this country. I understand that such supplies are not yet forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Health whether a report has yet been received from the engineers appointed to investigate the cause and prevention of floods in the valley of the River Lee; whether any action is contemplated; and whether it is proposed to place the administration of the flood area in this valley under one authority?

Yes, Sir. A report has been received, and it appears from it that the present gains would be nothing like adequate to warrant the very heavy expenditure which would be required for effective works of flood prevention.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has seen the report of the inquest held on Walter Jupp, a builders' labourer, who died in hospital from injuries received whilst working on a new building in Parker Street, Kings-way, W.C.; if he is aware that the cause of the accident was in consequence of the contractor not using what is known as a safety hook; whether the Committee that has been sitting for some time have issued a Report on the question of using safety hooks for all such work when hoisting barrow loads of concrete and other building material; and if he will take action in the matter?

I have seen a report of this case. A Committee of the Industrial Council for the Building Industry has been considering the question of the prevention of accidents in the industry, and has submitted to me proposals for a code of safety regulations, to be made under the Factory Act, which include a provision on the point referred to in the question. I am in agreement with the Committee's proposals, and I am about to give effect to them by issuing them as draft regulations under the procedure laid down by Section 79 of the Factory Act.

asked the Home Secretary if grave discontent still exists among the Dartmoor prison staff in consequence of the tactics of the deputy-governor in his efforts to rigorously enforce the silence rule; whether this official has the confidence of the Home Office; if he is aware that medical opinion is against the silence rule and that the whole principle is repulsive to the average prison officer; and if, during the temporary absence of the Dartmoor governor, the governor of Weymouth Borstal institution was sent to the penal settlement to take charge?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts) on the 11th August last. There appears to be some misapprehension as to the so-called "silence rule." Medical opinion is not against the existing practice which forbids unauthorised gossip. During the absence of the governor of Dartmoor Prison recently, an experienced governor was sent to take charge of the prison, but this was no reflection on the deputy-governor, who has only been a short time in the service, nor had it anything to do with his relations with the staff.

asked the Home Secretary whether he contemplates introducing fresh legislation relating to the early closing of shops in the immediate future; and, if so, whether it is proposed to include therein the trade of boot repairing?

No amendment of the law regarding the early closing of shops is contemplated this Session. I cannot say at present whether it will be possible to deal with the subject next Session. The question of including the trade of boot repairing when such legislation is undertaken will be borne in mind.

asked the Home Secretary what are the salaries or other emoluments paid to the Church of England chaplains employed full time in English prisons, to Church of England chaplains engaged part time, to Roman Catholic priests engaged whole time and part time, and to visiting ministers of other denominations?

The salaries of chaplains and Roman Catholic priests vary according to the population of the prison. Those of chaplains and whole-time Roman Catholic priests will be found printed in the Estimates, whole-time officers being granted, in addition, a house or an allowance in lieu. The pay of part-time Roman Catholic priests varies from £10, the lowest, to £150, the highest. Nonconformist ministers are paid on a capitation rate of 40s. a head, which diminishes, as the numbers grow, to one of 5s. a head per annum.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he is able to take to prevent queues outside theatres; and whether the practice of employing messenger boys to keep places for theatre-goers in these queues can be stopped?

The police have no power to prevent queues outside theatres except in so far as they cause obstruction. I cannot therefore take any steps to prevent the forming of queues, or to forbid the employment of messenger boys to keep places in queues.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the sentence of six weeks' hard labour passed upon a hawker at Marlborough Street Police Court by the presiding magistrate; and can he have inquiry made into this case?

My attention was called to this case and, in view of all the facts, I have recommended a remission of the sentence. The prisoner was released yesterday.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has decided that it is no longer necessary for the subject matter of telegrams to be regarded as secret and confidential; whether at many offices in the London area it is the practice to work Morse instruments at the counter within the hearing of the public, and that this practice is in operation at the Norwood South Western and Northern district offices, and at the branch offices situated at Blackheath, Notting Hill, Hammersmith, and Holloway, during the whole of Sunday, at Muswell Hill and 225, Clapham Road all day on week-days, at Crouch End branch office during the morning and evening, and at the House of Commons itself for some portion of the day; whether the possibility of leakage has been greatly intensified by the extensive training in telegraphy which was given to large numbers of men and women during the War; and whether, having regard to the public desire that telegrams should continue to be regarded as secret communications in accordance with the Telegraph Acts, he will issue instructions that telegrams shall not be transmitted either by Morse sounder or telephone within the hearing of the public?

The installation of telegraph instruments at public counters is necessary at many small sub-offices by reason of lack of space, while at some larger offices reserve apparatus is fixed at the counter to admit of concentration of work and to avoid wastage of force during the less busy hours. I have no evidence of any leakage of information having occurred on this account, and if instructions such as the hon. Member suggests were issued, I fear the public would be deprived of telegraphic facilities at a considerable number of offices.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the very inadequate postal-service in Cambridge, and to the fact that there is no collection of letters except from the chief office between 8.15 p.m. on Saturday night and 8.0 a.m. on Monday; and whether he can improve the conditions of the service, or at least allow the colleges and clubs to revert to their old custom of delivering letters locally in Cambridge for themselves?

The final general collection is made between 8 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. Certain selected boxes in localities at a distance from the head post office are cleared between 9.15 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. each week night and again at 5 a.m. on Mondays only. Arrangements on similar lines obtain elsewhere in the Provinces and the existing facilities could not be improved except at expense which could not be justified under present financial conditions. As regards the last part of the question I cannot agree to a reversion to the system of private posts which constitutes an infringement of the Postmaster-General's monopoly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any, and, if so, how many, conscientious objectors are being employed by the Post Office; and how many ex-service men have been discharged from service with the Post Office since the Armistice?

About 170 permanent Post Office servants who were exempted from military service as conscientious objectors are still in the employment of the Post Office. No statistics are available of the ex-service men who have been discharged from the Post Office service since the Armistice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will cause instructions to be issued to local authorities extending the hours when forms of application of exemption from Entertainment Duty by Sunday schools may be obtained; whether he will consider a new form of application in substitution of the present one, which is most difficult to complete by unskilled persons; if his Department, in relation to this duty, will generally assist rather than retard, as now obtains, Sunday schools of every denomination from holding legitimate and proper entertainments in support of their church, Sunday school, or charitable causes, such retarding often taking the form of interference with customs obtaining in such Sunday schools for long periods of years;

(2) if he will consider a higher allowance of expenses in respect to Entertainments Duty in Sunday schools, if proper and protective measures obtain in such schools to ensure that such entertainments are entirely for their church, Sunday school, or charitable causes, and not for business profit making, and means are taken that the artists do not exploit such entertainments for their own financial or professional profit, the church, priests, clergy, or ministers to be responsible therefor;

(3) if he will cause instructions to be issued permitting responsible priests, clergymen, ministers, or church officials by guarantee or bond to accept responsibility of any possibility of taxation of Sunday school entertainments, and then to alter regulations now obtaining which compels separate application for each such entertainment, such priest, clergyman, minister, or church official to give notice to the proper authority if the school or room of the school is let on any occasion for outside purposes?

I am not aware that any difficulty is experienced in obtaining forms of application for exemption from Entertainments Duty or in completing the application, or that the action of the Customs and Excise Department in ensuring the proper payment of the duty has the effect suggested. The requests made in the two remaining questions involve a change in the law and could not be effected by any administrative action. If my hon. Friend has any particular case of difficulty in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a consequence of the prevailing unemployment, he can state, as the result of inquiries, whether there has been any falling off, and, if so, to what extent, in the takings at cinema shows and in the gate-money for sport at any centre where unemployment is especially severe?

I presume my hon. Friend has in mind information in connection with collection of the Entertainments Duty. I regret that the information available does not give any guidance on the points raised in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any financial help has been given to any bank or any firm of financiers since the outbreak of War; if so, to whom and to what amount; if any assistance of any other kind has been given; and, if so, what was its nature and extent?

The general measures taken at the commencement of the War to safeguard commerce and industry are set out in the Manual of Emergency Legislation, Financial Edition, to which I would refer the hon. Member. I am not aware of any financial assistance having been granted by the Government to banks or financiers outside these measures.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether accrued interest on national savings certificates is charged to the Consolidated Fund each year as the certificate matures; and, if so, what sums have been so charged in the financial year 1920–1, and what is the estimate for 1921–2 and the three subsequent years?

The interest on certificates presented for payment in each year is included in the Consolidated Fund charge for interest on the National Debt. The amount so paid in 1920–21 was £2,519,000, and the estimate for 1921–22 is £4,000,000. No estimate has yet been framed for future years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of standard barrels of beer brewed, and the duty paid on the same, for home consumption for the years ending 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921?

The number of standard barrels of beer brewed for home consumption and the net amount received as duty thereon in each of the years ended 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921, are as follow:—

These figures do not include the quantity upon which drawbacks and repayments were allowed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of proof gallons of spirits, and the amount of duty paid on the same, cleared from bond for home consumption for the years ending 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921?

The number of proof gallons of spirits cleared for home consumption and the net amount of duty received thereon in each of the years ended 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921, are as follow:—

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether dependants' pensions are reckoned in computing income for old age pensions?

Any benefit derived from a dependant's pension is included in computing means for old age pensions purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's inspectors of taxes are unable to settle Excess Profits Duty claims under the Finance Act, 1921, owing to the absence of the necessary instructions from the Board of Inland Revenue; and, if this is the case, why such instructions have not been sent and when they will be sent?

No, Sir. Claims for refund of Excess Profits Duty are being dealt with as quickly as possible, and where repayment is clearly due but, owing either to the necessity for instructions on points of especial difficulty or to the extreme pressure of work in the offices of His Majesty's inspectors of taxes, a delay arises in the detailed settlement of a claim, repayments on account are being made and will continue to be made on application. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any case he has in mind I will cause inquiry to be made in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that about 40 trawlers from Brixham were sunk by enemy action during the late War, and that none of those vessels could be insured at their full value, the result being that the town, which is almost wholly dependent on the fishing industry, is suffering acutely from unemployment and poverty; and will he consider the urgent claim of the owners of those trawlers to recover the loss sustained through the vessels being only partially insured?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to recent announcements concerning the establishment of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, which will deal with claims of this nature.

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantities of 'coal exported from this country for the month of September, and how the same compare with previous months before the coal stoppage; and whether this trade shows any evidence of increasing and returning to its normal condition?

The quantity of coal exported from this country for the month of September was 3,406,579 tons, and compares with a monthly average of 1,799,111 tons exported during the three months preceding the coal stoppage. The demand for coal abroad fluctuates owing to seasonal and other causes, but the quantity exported during September was greater than in any month since January, 1920, and was equal to more than one-half the quantity exported in September, 1913.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will submit to arbitration the claim against the Government made by the Magadi Soda Company, Limited, for the use of their property during the late War by His Majesty's troops, in order that this longstanding dispute can be settled?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether anyone will hold a watching brief at the Washington Conerence on behalf of the League of Nations; and, if not, whether, in the interests of the League, he will suggest to those concerned the desirability of such an appointment?

I have no information to enable me to reply to the first part of the question, but I have no doubt that the Secretariat of the League will make such arrangements as it thinks fit to be furnished with information.